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After a Difficult 2017, Is It Time for Suzuki’s Alex Rins to Shine?

Alex Rins’ rookie year in MotoGP didn’t go as planned. After a strong showing at the Qatar opener, where he finished in 9th (top rookie), injuries plagued the Spaniard. He broke his ankle on a motocross bike shortly after Qatar, and later in the season broke his left arm during practice for the Austin, Texas round.

Although he has never won a GP championship, the 22-year-old is plenty fast. Between Moto2 and Moto3, Rins recorded 12 victories, and a total of 40 podiums. Although he was, perhaps, expected to play second fiddle to Suzuki teammate, and MotoGP race winner, Andrea Iannone, we wouldn’t be surprised if he is consistently faster than Iannone this year.

Earlier today, the first day of a three-day test at the new Buriram Circuit was completed, and Rins recorded the second quickest time, edged out by Cal Cruthlow (Honda). Like all of the riders, Rins was learning a new track today, and we will see how he fares over the remaining two days of the test. Stay tuned for further reports on the test from MD this weekend.

13 Comments

Training is absolutely required and motocross or supermoto works great to train the mind at their level to feel that a bike moving around is normal. Even at my medium track level, riding on the dirt bike through the woods gives me a great push into a track day. I see why they do it and anything on two wheels can be dangerous of course. But I would definitely cut the big jumps.. it simply adds risk and provides no real training except they are there and can be fun… 🙂

I can understand why motocross style riding has become essential to high level road racers but once the skills are mastered, the confidence absolute, does the actual doing pay off during the season? Constantly training the inner ear, as I call it. Is worth the risks?

The dirt track training is the lowest risk. Controlled sliding at and beyond the limits, at low speeds are what it’s about. They can experiment and even crash in relative safety. If they had the money and access to do the same hours on road course, outcomes would probably be worse.